‘MaXXXine’ Is A Stylish and Thrilling Third Chapter In Ti West’s X Series – Movie Review

MaXXXine will be in theaters on July 5th.

‘MaXXXine’, the third installment in Ti West’s X film series, is a unique blend of horror and psychological thriller. It serves as a direct sequel to ‘X‘ but also introduces a new tone and audience expectations. While ‘X’ is a traditional horror slasher, ‘Pearl‘ delves into psychological horror. ‘MaXXXine’, while still a slasher at heart, infuses the 80s style, creating a fresh and intriguing cinematic experience.

‘MaXXXine’ unfolds six years after the events of ‘X’, with Maxine Minx (Mia Goth) embarking on a new chapter in her life. Surviving a massacre in Texas, Maxine, who has already made a mark in the adult film industry, now aspires to become a true movie star. Her journey is not without challenges, as she must also evade the ‘Night Stalker’ in Los Angeles, a serial killer.

Mia Goth is truly emerging as the star her character Maxine dreams of being.

Everything about Goth is absolutely electric. As Maxine, she manages to be as ruthless as she is enigmatic, demanding attention every second she spends on screen. Despite watching her friends get murdered left and right, Maxine rarely feels like a victim, even when fleeing for her life. Even with such a small frame and stature, Goth brings so much strength to the performance.

With the success of ‘X’ and ‘Pearl’, the cast and scope of ‘MaXXXine’ has been greatly expanded. Kevin Bacon, Giancarlo Esposito, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins, and more round out the cast of characters, each bringing a touch of their own personas into the 1980s Hollywood that Maxine is inhabiting. Despite feeling grander in scope and budget, the film never loses sight of where it came from or what it’s trying to do, truly coming full circle after the events set up in ‘X.’ The third act goes a little off the rails, but it still feels in line with the film and what West is trying to portray. Hollywood’s ruthlessness can be equated to the ruthlessness of a serial killer or even religious fanaticism.

Verdict

I give ‘MaXXXine’ 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is an extremely fun and stylish third chapter in the X series. While the plot isn’t perfect, the performances and spirit of the film are enough to make up for it. There’s not as much gore as you would expect, but there’s still enough to make you squirm on occasion.

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